“Achieving TRUE Silver was a company-wide effort,” said Nima Fotovat, Founder, and President of Riverside Natural Foods. “All Riverside Natural Foods employees have been steadfast in our commitment to handling facility waste properly and have contributed to our success. Attaining this certification has made us think carefully about our business and production decisions and how they impact the waste stream.”

Increasing awareness of zero waste principles with employees at all levels of the organization

Setting goals to reduce the company’s overall impact

Encouraging suppliers and partners to embrace zero waste principles

Committing to continuous improvement year-after-year to continuously divert the company’s waste from landfill

“Zero waste is an important part of any company’s sustainability strategy,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “Through TRUE, we’re helping companies like Riverside Natural Foods enhance operations in a way that is transforming our built environment and improving our quality of life.”

The TRUE Zero Waste certification strives to change the way materials flow through society so that all products are eventually reused and diverted from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy) and the environment. TRUE provides best practices and training that enable businesses, property managers, schools, government agencies and nonprofits to rethink how they use resources. TRUE-certified projects are environmentally responsible and achieve a minimum of 90 percent waste diversion. The program helps facilities to turn waste into savings, cut greenhouse gas emissions, manage risk, reinvest resources and create jobs.

Riverside Naturals is a leading manufacturer of delicious and nutritious snacks free from gluten, the most common food allergens, and GMOs. It is also a dynamic B Corporation with a multicultural workforce of over 100 employees committed to developing unique recipes for their distinct MadeGood® brand. The company supports community organizations and initiatives such as Community Food Centres Canada, a national organization playing a pivotal role in bringing people living in low-income communities across Canada together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food so that everyone has access to healthy food in welcoming spaces.

Riverside Naturals has invested in state-of-the-art equipment to allow it a faster and better response to its increased demand in Canada and over 25 export markets, including the US, France, the Netherlands, the Middle East and Asia. The brand was launched in 2013 and is already available at main airports in Toronto, New York and Paris, Air Canada and West Jet menus, Whole Foods Market and many other retailers throughout North America and Europe, Australia and Hong Kong.

Though Riverside Natural Foods has successfully achieved TRUE Silver, there is still more to be accomplished to further enhance the company’s sustainability practices by encouraging employees, suppliers, and partners to embrace zero waste principles and continuing the reduction of waste to landfill year-after-year. The company will also review all internal processes and determine where it is still creating waste.